Saturday we skipped any traditional Valentine's Day celebrations to go to a long-put-off dinner with a colleague of Betsy's. One couple present had returned day before from China with an adopted baby girl, the 15 month old was adorable. Dinner was beef with a horseradish sauce on the side, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and mushrooms. I had asked if I could bring wine, was told "we're having beef, how about red or white Zinfandel?" Yep, not wine-geeks. So I carried a 1999 Dry Creek Valley "Heritage Clone" Zinfandel (Sonoma). Good red berry fruit, along with a pretty good dose ( but well-integrated ) of sweet oak. A little peppery zip to the finish. Really a pleasant medium-bodied Zin, well-balanced, and a crowd-pleaser to a non-geek crowd. Decent value at $16. B/B+
Earlier that day I had errrands in Scarsdale, and popped in on a bubbly tasting at Zachys: NV Pacific Echo ($12.99) acceptable for a $13 bubbly, but no more (I remember this as being better in past). Light and innocuous, light granny smith apple fruit, short finish NV "Yellow Label" Veuve Cliquot Brut($34.99) Not usually my favorite of big house Champagnes, and this does little to change my mind. A little ponderous, big flavors of apple and citrus, but little verve in the veuve.
1996 Veuve Cliquot Brut Rosé ($52.99) Much much nicer. Zippy acidity balancing strawberry fruit, nice finish. Best $50-ish rosé I've tasted since the '90 Pol Roger.
1995 Veuve Cliquot "La Grande Dame" ($99) lemony edge apple fruit, yeasty. Pretty good, but I think I liked the '96 rosé better. Have some '96 Grande Dame on order from PC, hopefully the vintage will give it a slight edge. NV Krug Rosé ($200) red fruit with an orange-juice edge (sounds weird, tastes nice), way over much budget, to my regret. Dale
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